Anna’s fortress

Anna Hazare has confessed how he flogged men who got drunk in his Taliban-like fortress, Ralegaon Sidhhi. It is frightening to know that the man behind the anti-corruption crusade that has caught the imagination of the Indian populace is running a village by his rules.
It reminded me of Sri Ram Sene’s goons going berserk in a Mangalore night club when they spotted women drinking their spiked colas.
There have been stray reports and noises from political groups about Hazare’s saffron links. But the aam janta and the media decided to overlook that in the face of the mass hysteria at Jantar Mantar. And, the media glare was such that anyone making uncomplimentary comments about Hazare and his team was branded corrupt or supporting corruption.
The overwhelming support created by Anna’s vrat and maun vrat seemed to have created a monstrous ego among his team; an ego that goes out to behead the democratic institutions each time they rear their head. The team runs parallel campaigns against political parties (read Congress). Their extensive anti-Congress campaign in Hissar by-election, declaring the election as a referendum to Anna Hazare’s campaign for the Jan Lok Pal Bill, is one such example. The team then touted the Congress’ defeat as its “victory”. And, Arvind Kejriwal, a key member of Team Anna, went to the extent of saying this anti-Congress campaign will stop only when the party passes the Bill. Pressure tactics? Or is that neat black-mailing?
Agreed, we needed an anti-corruption crusade in our country. There are probably more people’s representatives in Tihar than in Parliament. But this entire Anna Hazare’s package is problematic. His Taliban-style methodology in his village goes against the grain of democracy. And he has smartly photographed himself against the Gandhian halo; giant Gandhi black-and-white picture in the background and leaning against a white bolster….the works.
He has forced vegetarianism in his village. His argument: Non-vegetarian food increases the craving for alcohol. This extra-constitutional authority had even banned cable television in his village, a ban lifted only when he sat in Jantar Mantar for the nationally-televised fast.
Now what next, Mr Hazare? Hold women responsible for high incidences of rape for their provocative attire? Or, ask women to dress “appropriately” to avert the make gaze? Or worse, ask women to stay indoors and out of the bad world “infested” by salivating men?
This will make the Talibanisation complete.

Corporate despotism?

Kingfisher’s high-flying chairman, Vijay Mallya, has been knocking the doors of the Manmohan Singh government and banks to help him wriggle out of the financial mess his airlines is into. The owner of the F1 team and the IPL team, however, made it a point to clarify that it was not bailout that he was seeking but a “working capital management assistance”. Nicely put, Mr Mallya.
However, our Prime Minister has made a statement that the government might consider “bailing out” the airlines.
What is the logic of bailing out a private sector unit? If Manmohanomics is the mantra post 1991, why are we chanting a different tune? We have been pushing for private participation; we have been preparing a suitable environment for attracting foreign investment; we are bending backwards to disinvest the public sector units.
Let us decide the economic system we want to find ourselves in. If it is capitalism, then let us play by the rules ruthlessly. Why are we trying to bring in our socialism sympathy here? Agreed, a number of jobs are at stake. But isn’t that the norm of free market economy: Cold-blooded competition which shows no mercy on those who have failed in the race.
Then why is Mr Singh considering a pit stop for this F1 team owner? Why does he want to refuel Mallya’s bottomless appetite for grandiose?
The civil aviation ministry has been pushing banks to offer support to the country’s second largest airline, while not having readily responded to Mallya’s pitch for investment by foreign airlines.
A consortium of 13 banks, led by the SBI that have lent money to Kingfisher Airlines, are planning to quiz Mallya before a debt restructuring plan for the private carrier.
As expected the India Inc is divided over this “bailout” scheme. Bajaj Group chairman, Rahul Bajaj, opposing the government intervention has said that those who die must die in a free market economy.
By the way, the same Bajaj was opposed to the idea of a cut in import tariffs in early 1990s when Singh, then finance minister, ushered in reforms.
Spice Jet chief Neil Mills has said the government should not use taxpayers’ money to revive a private sector unit.
These seem music to the socialist’s ears. But is there a rulebook for the games that corporate India and the government of India play? The finances, bailouts and concessions are all the jokers in the pack that help them substitute their aces and spades in this game of symbiotic relationship.
There is just one question: in free market economy everything is according to market prices. At least that is what the capitalism rulebook says. What about special economic zones or simply put: land given at dirt prices. Or what about land bought (read usurped) from farmers for a song and given to industrialists to set up their industrial plants?
Are we talking about capitalism? Oligarchy? Or worse, corporate despotism?